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2026 Planning Numbers · Westminster, CO

How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement in Denver? (2026)

Real numbers from our own jobs, not a national average.

A full basement finish averages about $80 per sq ft. Each bathroom adds $12,000 and up, and a from-scratch egress window is $7,000. That is the short answer for the Denver area in 2026. It is a planning number, not a quote.

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Quick Math

What the base finish looks like before extras.

Take the unfinished square footage and multiply by about $80. These are planning numbers, not a quote, and they are the base finish only. Bathrooms and custom work sit on top.

800 sq ft
about $64,000
1,000 sq ft
about $80,000
1,200 sq ft
about $96,000

Saw Dog Construction is based in Westminster, CO, and these are our averages for the Denver area. Your written, itemized estimate sets the actual price. See the basement finishing page for how the build actually goes.

What the $80 Covers

The base finish, start to finish.

The $80 per sq ft is the average for a full base finish. It covers framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing and HVAC rough-in, drywall, and finishes. Finishes means the paint, trim, and flooring that make it a room you can actually use.

Bedrooms and living space are part of that base. A bathroom is not. The rough-in is in the base number. The tub, the tile, the fan, and the fixtures are the bathroom price.

  • Framing
  • Insulation
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing and HVAC rough-in
  • Drywall
  • Finishes (paint, trim, and flooring)
Finished basement with luxury vinyl plank flooring in Westminster, CO
What Pushes the Price Up

The add-ons people actually ask for.

$12,000+
each bathroom, on top of the base finish
$7,000
a from-scratch egress window: the opening, the window, and the well
Custom
wet bars and other custom features, priced in the estimate
Size
more square footage means more of the $80 base

A bigger basement costs more because you are buying more of the same finish. A wet bar, built-ins, or a similar custom feature gets its own line in the estimate. None of that is hiding inside the $80.

Permits and Timeline

I pull the permit. Then we build.

I pull the permit and schedule the inspections. You should not have to learn your city's permit portal to get a basement finished. Every Saw Dog basement is permitted and inspected with your city.

After permit approval, a typical full finish takes 6 to 10 weeks. That clock starts when the permit is approved, not when we first shake hands. How long the city spends reviewing the plans is separate from the construction schedule. You get the schedule up front.

Other Prices

If the basement is not the only thing on the list.

Same company, same estimate. These are the other planning numbers already on SawDog.net. Home additions and interior or exterior remodeling are quoted per project, with no published figure.

$25,000 to $85,000+
kitchen remodel. Cabinetry and counters drive most of the spread.
$15,000 to $40,000+
bathroom remodel, separate from a basement bath at $12,000 and up
$60 to $100
per sq ft for decks, depending on materials, rails, stairs, and details
$80
per sq ft for pergolas
$40
per linear foot for fences
$20
per sq ft for concrete flatwork. Landscaping is quoted per project.

Pages for the rest of the work: kitchens and baths, egress windows, decks, pergolas, and fences, concrete and landscaping.

Next Step

Call or text. The estimate is free.

If you want a number for your basement, not a range, call or text (720) 290-4077. Tell us the square footage, whether you want a bathroom, and whether a bedroom needs an egress window. We will walk it and write it up. No commitment.

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Cost Questions

Straight answers on the money.

How much does it cost to finish a basement in Denver?
A full basement finish averages about $80 per sq ft. An 800 sq ft basement is about $64,000, 1,000 sq ft about $80,000, and 1,200 sq ft about $96,000. Those are planning numbers for the base finish, not a quote.
What does the $80 per sq ft cover?
Framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing and HVAC rough-in, drywall, and finishes. Finishes means paint, trim, and flooring. A bathroom is not included.
What pushes the price up?
Bathrooms at $12,000 and up each, a from-scratch egress window at $7,000, custom features like wet bars, and the size of the basement.
Do you handle the permit?
Yes. I pull the permit and schedule the inspections. The basement is permitted and inspected with your city.
How long does a basement finish take?
6 to 10 weeks after permit approval. The city's review time is separate from that build schedule.
How do I get a real number?
Call or text (720) 290-4077, or send the form on this page. The written, itemized estimate is the quote. These page numbers are for planning.
Free Estimates

Tell us the square footage.

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